Kakadu National Park closes Bilkbilkmi on 9 November
Published on 10/31/2026 at 15:35 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSNovember access and cultural use
- Bilkbilkmi closes on 9 November 2026 under a Parks Australia notice for cultural use by Aboriginal Traditional Owners.
- The gorge gate reopens on 16 November 2026, while bushwalking and camping require a permit.
- Kakadu covers 19,804 square kilometres and was first inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1981.
Kakadu National Park and its Bilkbilkmi closure will affect access near Jabiru from 9 to 16 November 2026, with the gorge gate shut for cultural use by Aboriginal Traditional Owners. The closure concerns Bilkbilkmi, also called Graveside Gorge, in Australia’s tropical north.
Bilkbilkmi closure runs from 9 to 16 November
An official 2026 closure notice says Bilkbilkmi will close to the public at 11am on 9 November 2026 and reopen at 11am on 16 November 2026. The notice is issued for Kakadu National Park and applies under regulation 12.23 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000.
The scheduled closure is part of a series of periods set aside for cultural use of the area by Aboriginal Traditional Owners. Visitors must leave Bilkbilkmi and be outside the gate before the closure begins. The notice also states that staff will not check the area before locking the gate. The 2026 Bilkbilkmi closure notice lists the dates and the reopening time.
Remote gorge access sits within a World Heritage park
Bilkbilkmi lies in the Jim Jim and Twin Falls region, where the current park access report records the site as closed and notes that four-wheel-drive access is required. A permit is required for bushwalking or camping at the gorge, so the November closure is relevant both to day visitors and to people planning an overnight stay.
The park covers 19,804 square kilometres and extends across the tropical north of Australia. Its World Heritage listing recognises both natural and cultural values, with the first inscription made in 1981. Jabiru is the main township within the park and a base for services and access to several visitor areas. The scheduled Bilkbilkmi closure therefore affects one remote destination rather than the park as a whole. The current access report lists other sites and tracks separately.
Other Kakadu sites remain subject to live access updates
The access report records Ubirr, Burrungkuy, the Bowali track and Yellow Water among the places with access information for visitors. Conditions can differ sharply between regions, particularly on remote roads and tracks. A closure at Bilkbilkmi does not by itself indicate that all visitor areas are closed.
The same report records the Jim Jim and Twin Falls area as closed during 2026 while road and infrastructure work continues. It also lists restrictions or closures at other locations, including sites affected by road conditions, crocodile management or requests from Traditional Owners. These entries are separate from the fixed Bilkbilkmi dates and should not be treated as a single park-wide rule.
Visiting Kakadu National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Bilkbilkmi is closed from 11am on 9 November 2026 and reopens at 11am on 16 November 2026.
- The closure applies to the gorge area and its gate; bushwalking or camping at Bilkbilkmi also requires a permit, while four-wheel-drive access is essential.
- Jabiru is the park township and lies within the wider World Heritage area; visitors should consult the Kakadu access report before travelling to remote sites.
- Kakadu is in Australia, where the official language is English and the national currency is the Australian dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Kakadu National Park
When does the Bilkbilkmi closure take place at Kakadu National Park?
Bilkbilkmi is closed from 9 November 2026 until 16 November 2026, with the gate scheduled to reopen at 11am.
What changes for visitors at Kakadu National Park?
Visitors cannot enter Bilkbilkmi during the scheduled closure, and bushwalking or camping at the gorge requires a permit.
Where is Kakadu National Park and how do you get there?
The park is in Australia’s tropical north, with Jabiru as its main township. Access to Bilkbilkmi requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
